Houghton Comrades were the opposition for the last midweek match and Martin Hubber was in temporary charge of the team with Richard Hilton away at the under 17 county cricket final.
With Coates, Gregory and Jones all unavailable from last weeks match in came Woods, Solan and Frazer into the starting eleven.
The pitch was excellent to play football on and the there was only a slight bit of wind, which wasn’t going to effect play.
The first half saw both sides have plenty of possession with both sides creating chances, Houghton could have been two up when a header from eight yards was tipped behind by Potts then a shot hit from twenty five yards was saved at full stretch by Potts again. Kyle Davis for Houghton nearly managed to score the goal of the season when he picked up the ball forty yards out and he jinxed his was past five players and shot from twelve yards out only for his shot to be blocked by a Sacriston defender.
Sacriston did take the lead after twenty five minutes when some good link up play say Embleton twenty five yards out from goal and he sent a thunderbolt which the keeper could only tip into the top corner, the travelling fans were jumping for joy after seeing Sacriston take the lead through a fine strike.
Sacriston had another chance five minutes from time when Woods was sent clear of the defense although from a tight angle he could only send the ball sailing over the bar. Just after that Bladen was taken off with an injured hamstring and Fenton came on for his first match of the season.
The second half saw Sacriston double their lead after sixty minutes when Embelton scored direct from a free kick from twenty-five yards out. Instead of blasting the ball he stroked the ball along the ground and into the bottom corner.
Sacriston then started to get nervous and allowed Houghton chances to score.
Centre forward Davis found himself one on one with Potts only for him to fire a the ball at Potts and he managed to save the ball with his legs, Fenton managed to keep the ball in play instead of it going for a corner kick, thinking he had more time than he did ne tried to dribble the ball out only to be dispossessed and allow Davis one on one again, this time Potts saved well with his hand and Sacriston managed to clear the ball to safety.
Houghton still had chances to score, once from a free kick which Potts managed to tip onto the post and another one from Davis who was eight yards out who managed to cannon his shot against the bar. They also had two headers cleared off the line by Solan and Fenton.
The three center midfielders Embelton, Draper and Solan never stopped grating throughout the game and it was a just reward for there hard effort that Sacriston managed to claim three points and keep a clean sheet for the second time at Houghton this season. Hogger at right wing back was solid as ever with Boyd down the left getting up and down and providing support in attack.
The referee controlled the game excellent and he was sensible with his decisions, he spoke to players when things were getting out of hand and did not brandish any cards instead took to the sensible option of taking to them in a calm manner. Both sides helped the game into an excellent spectacle for the fans and this is how all football should be played, a pleasure to play and watch.
Next match is the derby on Sunday, with it being our home game food is being placed on after the game in the clubhouse.
